Decliners on the New York Stock Exchange hold a 2-to-1 lead over advancers.
The Nasdaq Composite Index has lost about 36 points at 2,055.
And the Standard-and Poor's 500 Stock Index is down 18 points at 1,148.
Trading on the New York Stock Exchange during the first two hours totaled 1.8 billion shares. Volume on the Nasdaq Market came to 607 million shares.
The financial markets remain under pressure as investors await further word on the fate of the rescue package in Washington.
A vote in the Senate is expected this evening. The declines for the key averages come after yesterday's 485-point rise in the Dow.
There was troubling economic news. The Institute for Supply Management reports that its manufacturing index slumped to 43.5, the weakest seen since October 2001. Many private economists say it suggests a recession.
Oil prices are falling after the government reported a surprise jump in U.S. crude supplies.
